Skip to main content
Top
Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 10/2009

01-10-2009 | Original Article

18F-FDG PET/CT for early prediction of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer

Authors: Joan Duch, David Fuster, Montserrat Muñoz, Pedro Luís Fernández, Pilar Paredes, Montserrat Fontanillas, Flavia Guzmán, Sebastià Rubí, Francisco Juan Lomeña, Francesca Pons

Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging | Issue 10/2009

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate 18F-FDG PET/CT in predicting response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in large primary breast cancer.

Methods

Fifty consecutive patients underwent PET/CT at baseline and after the second cycle. Baseline MRI was performed to establish tumour size. All findings were confirmed by histopathological analysis. Changes in maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) between baseline study and after two cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (epirubicin + cyclophosphamide + taxanes) were compared using response evaluation criteria in solid tumours (RECIST) criteria and the Miller and Payne (M&P) scale.

Results

The mean tumour size was 4.3 ± 1.4 cm. Forty patients were considered responders and ten as non-responders. SUVmax changes in patients with good prognosis (M&P grades 4–5) were higher than in patients with bad prognosis (M&P grades 1–3) (p = 0.025). SUVmax changes between responders and non-responders following RECIST criteria were also statistically significant (p = 0.0028). A cut-off ΔSUV value of 40% differentiates both groups, with a sensitivity of 77% and a specificity of 80%.

Conclusion

18F-FDG PET/CT can predict response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy at an early stage.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Koscielny S, Tubiana M, Le MG, Valleron AJ, Mouriesse H, Contesso G, et al. Breast cancer: relationship between the size of the primary tumour and the probability of metastatic dissemination. Br J Cancer 1984;49:709–15.PubMed Koscielny S, Tubiana M, Le MG, Valleron AJ, Mouriesse H, Contesso G, et al. Breast cancer: relationship between the size of the primary tumour and the probability of metastatic dissemination. Br J Cancer 1984;49:709–15.PubMed
2.
go back to reference Schwarz JD, Bader M, Jenicke L, Hemminger G, Jänicke F, Avril N. Early prediction of response to chemotherapy in metastatic breast cancer using sequential 18F-FDG PET. J Nucl Med 2005;46:1144–50. Schwarz JD, Bader M, Jenicke L, Hemminger G, Jänicke F, Avril N. Early prediction of response to chemotherapy in metastatic breast cancer using sequential 18F-FDG PET. J Nucl Med 2005;46:1144–50.
3.
go back to reference Kuerer HM, Newman LA, Smith TL, Ames FC, Hunt KK, Dhingra K, et al. Clinical course of breast cancer patients with complete pathological primary tumour and axillary lymph node response to doxorubicin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol 1999;17:460–9.PubMed Kuerer HM, Newman LA, Smith TL, Ames FC, Hunt KK, Dhingra K, et al. Clinical course of breast cancer patients with complete pathological primary tumour and axillary lymph node response to doxorubicin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol 1999;17:460–9.PubMed
4.
go back to reference Bonadonna G, Valagussa P, Brambilla C, Ferrari L, Moliterni A, Terenziani M, et al. Primary chemotherapy in operable breast cancer: eight-year experience at the Milan Cancer Institute. J Clin Oncol 1998;16:93–100.PubMed Bonadonna G, Valagussa P, Brambilla C, Ferrari L, Moliterni A, Terenziani M, et al. Primary chemotherapy in operable breast cancer: eight-year experience at the Milan Cancer Institute. J Clin Oncol 1998;16:93–100.PubMed
5.
go back to reference Verril MW, Ashley SE, Walsh GA, Ellis P, Sacks N, Gui G, et al. Pathological complete response (pCR) in patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy for operable breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 1998;50:328. Verril MW, Ashley SE, Walsh GA, Ellis P, Sacks N, Gui G, et al. Pathological complete response (pCR) in patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy for operable breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 1998;50:328.
6.
go back to reference Weber WA, Ott K, Becker K, Dittler HJ, Helmberger H, Avril NE, et al. Prediction of response to preoperative chemotherapy in adenocarcinomas of the esophagogastric junction by metabolic imaging. J Clin Oncol 2001;19:3058–65.PubMed Weber WA, Ott K, Becker K, Dittler HJ, Helmberger H, Avril NE, et al. Prediction of response to preoperative chemotherapy in adenocarcinomas of the esophagogastric junction by metabolic imaging. J Clin Oncol 2001;19:3058–65.PubMed
7.
go back to reference Spaepen K, Stroobants S, Dupont P, Vandenberghe P, Thomas J, de Groot T, et al. Early restaging positron emission tomography with (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose predicts outcome in patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Ann Oncol 2002;13:1356–63.PubMedCrossRef Spaepen K, Stroobants S, Dupont P, Vandenberghe P, Thomas J, de Groot T, et al. Early restaging positron emission tomography with (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose predicts outcome in patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Ann Oncol 2002;13:1356–63.PubMedCrossRef
8.
go back to reference Weber WA, Petersen V, Schmidt B, Tyndale-Hines L, Link T, Peschel C, et al. Positron emission tomography in non-small-cell lung cancer: prediction of response to chemotherapy by quantitative assessment of glucose use. J Clin Oncol 2003;21:2651–7.PubMedCrossRef Weber WA, Petersen V, Schmidt B, Tyndale-Hines L, Link T, Peschel C, et al. Positron emission tomography in non-small-cell lung cancer: prediction of response to chemotherapy by quantitative assessment of glucose use. J Clin Oncol 2003;21:2651–7.PubMedCrossRef
9.
go back to reference Ott K, Fink U, Becker K, Stahl A, Dittler HJ, Busch R, et al. Prediction of response to preoperative chemotherapy in gastric carcinoma by metabolic imaging: results of a prospective trial. J Clin Oncol 2003;21:4604–10.PubMedCrossRef Ott K, Fink U, Becker K, Stahl A, Dittler HJ, Busch R, et al. Prediction of response to preoperative chemotherapy in gastric carcinoma by metabolic imaging: results of a prospective trial. J Clin Oncol 2003;21:4604–10.PubMedCrossRef
10.
go back to reference Wieder H, Brücher BL, Zimmermann F, Becker K, Lordick F, Beer A, et al. Time course of tumor metabolic activity during chemoradiotherapy of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and response to treatment. J Clin Oncol 2004;22:900–8.PubMedCrossRef Wieder H, Brücher BL, Zimmermann F, Becker K, Lordick F, Beer A, et al. Time course of tumor metabolic activity during chemoradiotherapy of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and response to treatment. J Clin Oncol 2004;22:900–8.PubMedCrossRef
11.
go back to reference Westerterp M, van Westreenen HL, Reitsma JB, Hoekstra OS, Stoker J, Fockens P, et al. Esophageal cancer: CT, endoscopic US and FDG PET for assessment of response to neoadjuvant therapy—systematic review. Radiology 2005;236:841–51.PubMedCrossRef Westerterp M, van Westreenen HL, Reitsma JB, Hoekstra OS, Stoker J, Fockens P, et al. Esophageal cancer: CT, endoscopic US and FDG PET for assessment of response to neoadjuvant therapy—systematic review. Radiology 2005;236:841–51.PubMedCrossRef
12.
go back to reference Kalff V, Duong C, Drummond EG, Matthews JP, Hicks RJ. Findings of 18F-FDG PET scans after neoadjuvant chemoradiation provides prognostic stratification in patients with locally advanced rectal carcinoma subsequently treated by radical surgery. J Nucl Med 2006;47:14–22.PubMed Kalff V, Duong C, Drummond EG, Matthews JP, Hicks RJ. Findings of 18F-FDG PET scans after neoadjuvant chemoradiation provides prognostic stratification in patients with locally advanced rectal carcinoma subsequently treated by radical surgery. J Nucl Med 2006;47:14–22.PubMed
13.
go back to reference Yamamoto Y, Nishiyama Y, Monden T, Sasakawa Y, Ohkawa M, Gotoh M, et al. Correlation of FDG PET findings with histopathology in the assessment of response to induction chemoradiotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2006;33:140–7.PubMedCrossRef Yamamoto Y, Nishiyama Y, Monden T, Sasakawa Y, Ohkawa M, Gotoh M, et al. Correlation of FDG PET findings with histopathology in the assessment of response to induction chemoradiotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2006;33:140–7.PubMedCrossRef
14.
go back to reference Wahl RL, Zasadny K, Helvie M, Hutchins GD, Weber B, Cody R. Metabolic monitoring of breast cancer chemohormonotherapy using positron emission tomography: initial evaluation. J Clin Oncol 1993;11:2101–11.PubMed Wahl RL, Zasadny K, Helvie M, Hutchins GD, Weber B, Cody R. Metabolic monitoring of breast cancer chemohormonotherapy using positron emission tomography: initial evaluation. J Clin Oncol 1993;11:2101–11.PubMed
15.
go back to reference Schelling M, Avril N, Nährig J, Kuhn W, Römer W, Sattler D, et al. Positron emission tomography using [F-18]fluorodeoxyglucose for monitoring primary chemotherapy in breast cancer. J Clin Oncol 2000;18:1689–95.PubMed Schelling M, Avril N, Nährig J, Kuhn W, Römer W, Sattler D, et al. Positron emission tomography using [F-18]fluorodeoxyglucose for monitoring primary chemotherapy in breast cancer. J Clin Oncol 2000;18:1689–95.PubMed
16.
go back to reference Baum RP, Przetak C. Evaluation of therapy response in breast and ovarian cancer patients by positron emission tomography (PET). Q J Nucl Med 2001;45:257–68.PubMed Baum RP, Przetak C. Evaluation of therapy response in breast and ovarian cancer patients by positron emission tomography (PET). Q J Nucl Med 2001;45:257–68.PubMed
17.
go back to reference Erdi YE, Macapinlac H, Rosenzweig KE, Humm JL, Larson SM, Erdi AK, et al. Use of PET to monitor the response of lung cancer to radiation treatment. Eur J Nucl Med 2000;27:861–6.PubMedCrossRef Erdi YE, Macapinlac H, Rosenzweig KE, Humm JL, Larson SM, Erdi AK, et al. Use of PET to monitor the response of lung cancer to radiation treatment. Eur J Nucl Med 2000;27:861–6.PubMedCrossRef
18.
go back to reference Findlay M, Young H, Cunningham D, Iveson A, Cronin B, Hickish T, et al. Noninvasive monitoring of tumor metabolism using fluorodeoxyglucose and positron emission tomography in colorectal cancer liver metastases: correlation with tumor response to fluorouracil. J Clin Oncol 1996;14:700–8.PubMed Findlay M, Young H, Cunningham D, Iveson A, Cronin B, Hickish T, et al. Noninvasive monitoring of tumor metabolism using fluorodeoxyglucose and positron emission tomography in colorectal cancer liver metastases: correlation with tumor response to fluorouracil. J Clin Oncol 1996;14:700–8.PubMed
19.
go back to reference Smith JC, Welch AE, Hutcheon AW, Miller ID, Payne S, Chilcott F, et al. Positron emission tomography using [(18)F]-fluorodeoxy-D-glucose to predict the pathologic response of breast cancer to primary chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol 2000;18:1676–88.PubMed Smith JC, Welch AE, Hutcheon AW, Miller ID, Payne S, Chilcott F, et al. Positron emission tomography using [(18)F]-fluorodeoxy-D-glucose to predict the pathologic response of breast cancer to primary chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol 2000;18:1676–88.PubMed
20.
go back to reference Jansson T, Westlin JE, Ahlström H, Lilja A, Långström B, Bergh J. Positron emission tomography studies in patients with locally advanced and/or metastatic breast cancer: a method for early therapy evaluation? J Clin Oncol 1995;13:1470–77.PubMed Jansson T, Westlin JE, Ahlström H, Lilja A, Långström B, Bergh J. Positron emission tomography studies in patients with locally advanced and/or metastatic breast cancer: a method for early therapy evaluation? J Clin Oncol 1995;13:1470–77.PubMed
21.
go back to reference Berriolo-Riedinger A, Touzery C, Riedinger JM, Toubeau M, Coudert B, Arnould L, et al. [(18)F]FDG-PET predicts complete pathological response of breast cancer to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2007;34:1915–24.PubMedCrossRef Berriolo-Riedinger A, Touzery C, Riedinger JM, Toubeau M, Coudert B, Arnould L, et al. [(18)F]FDG-PET predicts complete pathological response of breast cancer to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2007;34:1915–24.PubMedCrossRef
22.
go back to reference Rousseau C, Devillers A, Sagan C, Ferrer L, Bridji B, Campion L, et al. Monitoring of early response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in stage II and III breast cancer by [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography. J Clin Oncol 2006;24:5366–72.PubMedCrossRef Rousseau C, Devillers A, Sagan C, Ferrer L, Bridji B, Campion L, et al. Monitoring of early response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in stage II and III breast cancer by [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography. J Clin Oncol 2006;24:5366–72.PubMedCrossRef
23.
go back to reference Ogston KN, Miller ID, Payne S, Hutcheon AW, Sarkar TK, Smith L, et al. A new histological grading system to assess response of breast cancers to primary chemotherapy: prognostic significance and survival. Breast 2003;12:320–7.PubMedCrossRef Ogston KN, Miller ID, Payne S, Hutcheon AW, Sarkar TK, Smith L, et al. A new histological grading system to assess response of breast cancers to primary chemotherapy: prognostic significance and survival. Breast 2003;12:320–7.PubMedCrossRef
24.
go back to reference Therasse P, Arbuck SG, Eisenhauer EA, Wanders J, Kaplan RS, Rubinstein L, et al. New guidelines to evaluate the response to treatment in solid tumors. European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer, National Cancer Institute of the United States, National Cancer Institute of Canada. J Natl Cancer Inst 2000;92:205–16.PubMedCrossRef Therasse P, Arbuck SG, Eisenhauer EA, Wanders J, Kaplan RS, Rubinstein L, et al. New guidelines to evaluate the response to treatment in solid tumors. European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer, National Cancer Institute of the United States, National Cancer Institute of Canada. J Natl Cancer Inst 2000;92:205–16.PubMedCrossRef
25.
go back to reference Therasse P, Eisenhauer EA, Verweij J. RECIST revisited: a review of validation studies on tumour assessment. Eur J Cancer 2006;42:1031–39.PubMedCrossRef Therasse P, Eisenhauer EA, Verweij J. RECIST revisited: a review of validation studies on tumour assessment. Eur J Cancer 2006;42:1031–39.PubMedCrossRef
26.
go back to reference Yamashiro H, Toi M. Update of evidence in chemotherapy for breast cancer. Int J Clin Oncol 2008;13:3–7.PubMedCrossRef Yamashiro H, Toi M. Update of evidence in chemotherapy for breast cancer. Int J Clin Oncol 2008;13:3–7.PubMedCrossRef
27.
go back to reference Huber S, Wagner M, Zuna I, Medl M, Czembirek H, Delorme S. Locally advanced breast carcinoma: evaluation of mammography in the prediction of residual disease after induction chemotherapy. Anticancer Res 2000;20:553–8.PubMed Huber S, Wagner M, Zuna I, Medl M, Czembirek H, Delorme S. Locally advanced breast carcinoma: evaluation of mammography in the prediction of residual disease after induction chemotherapy. Anticancer Res 2000;20:553–8.PubMed
28.
go back to reference Ciray I, Lindman H, Aström KG, Bergh J, Ahlström KH. Early response of breast cancer bone metastases to chemotherapy evaluated with MR imaging. Acta Radiol 2001;42:198–206.PubMedCrossRef Ciray I, Lindman H, Aström KG, Bergh J, Ahlström KH. Early response of breast cancer bone metastases to chemotherapy evaluated with MR imaging. Acta Radiol 2001;42:198–206.PubMedCrossRef
29.
go back to reference Coronado M, Couto RM, Rodado S, Martín LM. (18)F-FDG PET/CT semiology (in Spanish). Rev Esp Med Nucl 2008;27:284–306.CrossRef Coronado M, Couto RM, Rodado S, Martín LM. (18)F-FDG PET/CT semiology (in Spanish). Rev Esp Med Nucl 2008;27:284–306.CrossRef
30.
go back to reference Cortés-Funes H. Contribution of PET-CT in diagnostic-therapeutic decisions in medical oncology (in Spanish). Rev Esp Med Nucl 2008;27:79–82.PubMedCrossRef Cortés-Funes H. Contribution of PET-CT in diagnostic-therapeutic decisions in medical oncology (in Spanish). Rev Esp Med Nucl 2008;27:79–82.PubMedCrossRef
31.
go back to reference Minn H, Soini I. [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose scintigraphy in diagnosis and follow up of treatment in advanced breast cancer. Eur J Nucl Med 1989;15:61–6.PubMedCrossRef Minn H, Soini I. [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose scintigraphy in diagnosis and follow up of treatment in advanced breast cancer. Eur J Nucl Med 1989;15:61–6.PubMedCrossRef
32.
go back to reference Fuster D, Duch J, Paredes P, Velasco M, Muñoz M, Santamaría G, et al. Preoperative staging of large primary breast cancer with [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography compared with conventional imaging procedures. J Clin Oncol 2008;26:4746–51.PubMedCrossRef Fuster D, Duch J, Paredes P, Velasco M, Muñoz M, Santamaría G, et al. Preoperative staging of large primary breast cancer with [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography compared with conventional imaging procedures. J Clin Oncol 2008;26:4746–51.PubMedCrossRef
33.
go back to reference Patz EF Jr, Lowe VJ, Hoffman JM, Paine SS, Burrowes P, Coleman RE, et al. Focal pulmonary abnormalities: evaluation with F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose PET scanning. Radiology 1993;188:487–90.PubMed Patz EF Jr, Lowe VJ, Hoffman JM, Paine SS, Burrowes P, Coleman RE, et al. Focal pulmonary abnormalities: evaluation with F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose PET scanning. Radiology 1993;188:487–90.PubMed
34.
go back to reference Ueda S, Tsuda H, Asakawa H, Shigekawa T, Fukatsu K, Kondo N, et al. Clinicopathological and prognostic relevance of uptake level using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography fusion imaging (18F-FDG PET/CT) in primary breast cancer. Jpn J Clin Oncol 2008;38:250–8.PubMedCrossRef Ueda S, Tsuda H, Asakawa H, Shigekawa T, Fukatsu K, Kondo N, et al. Clinicopathological and prognostic relevance of uptake level using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography fusion imaging (18F-FDG PET/CT) in primary breast cancer. Jpn J Clin Oncol 2008;38:250–8.PubMedCrossRef
35.
go back to reference Young H, Baum R, Cremerius U, Herholz K, Hoekstra O, Lammertsma AA, et al. Measurement of clinical and subclinical tumour response using [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose and positron emission tomography: review and 1999 EORTC recommendations. European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) PET Study Group. Eur J Cancer 1999;35:1773–82.PubMedCrossRef Young H, Baum R, Cremerius U, Herholz K, Hoekstra O, Lammertsma AA, et al. Measurement of clinical and subclinical tumour response using [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose and positron emission tomography: review and 1999 EORTC recommendations. European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) PET Study Group. Eur J Cancer 1999;35:1773–82.PubMedCrossRef
36.
go back to reference Tiling R, Linke R, Untch M, Richter A, Fieber S, Brinkbäumer K, et al. 18F-FDG PET and 99mTc-sestamibi scintimammography for monitoring breast cancer response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy: a comparative study. Eur J Nucl Med 2001;28:711–20.PubMedCrossRef Tiling R, Linke R, Untch M, Richter A, Fieber S, Brinkbäumer K, et al. 18F-FDG PET and 99mTc-sestamibi scintimammography for monitoring breast cancer response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy: a comparative study. Eur J Nucl Med 2001;28:711–20.PubMedCrossRef
37.
go back to reference Sataloff DM, Mason BA, Prestipino AJ, Seinige UL, Lieber CP, Baloch Z. Pathologic response to induction chemotherapy in locally advanced carcinoma of the breast: a determinant of outcome. J Am Coll Surg 1995;180:297–306.PubMed Sataloff DM, Mason BA, Prestipino AJ, Seinige UL, Lieber CP, Baloch Z. Pathologic response to induction chemotherapy in locally advanced carcinoma of the breast: a determinant of outcome. J Am Coll Surg 1995;180:297–306.PubMed
38.
go back to reference Gralow JR, Burstein HJ, Wood W, Hortobagyi GN, Gianni L, von Minckwitz G, et al. Preoperative therapy in invasive breast cancer: pathologic assessment and systemic therapy issues in operable disease. J Clin Oncol 2008;26:814–9.PubMedCrossRef Gralow JR, Burstein HJ, Wood W, Hortobagyi GN, Gianni L, von Minckwitz G, et al. Preoperative therapy in invasive breast cancer: pathologic assessment and systemic therapy issues in operable disease. J Clin Oncol 2008;26:814–9.PubMedCrossRef
39.
go back to reference Kim SJ, Kim SK, Lee ES, Ro J, Kang S. Predictive value of [18F] FDG PET for pathological response of breast cancer to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Ann Oncol 2004;15:1352–7.PubMedCrossRef Kim SJ, Kim SK, Lee ES, Ro J, Kang S. Predictive value of [18F] FDG PET for pathological response of breast cancer to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Ann Oncol 2004;15:1352–7.PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
18F-FDG PET/CT for early prediction of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer
Authors
Joan Duch
David Fuster
Montserrat Muñoz
Pedro Luís Fernández
Pilar Paredes
Montserrat Fontanillas
Flavia Guzmán
Sebastià Rubí
Francisco Juan Lomeña
Francesca Pons
Publication date
01-10-2009
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging / Issue 10/2009
Print ISSN: 1619-7070
Electronic ISSN: 1619-7089
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-009-1116-y

Other articles of this Issue 10/2009

European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 10/2009 Go to the issue